Advertising is a career built on the power of your imagination and your ability to make people listen to, and care about, what you have to say. On this course you'll learn how to develop original ideas and bring them to life in the most compelling way while using your creativity and communication skills to change the way people think.
We'll explore conceptual thinking, copywriting, art direction, and the different types of media a professional advertising creative will need to know, as well as helping you present your ideas effectively and persuasively. The course has close relationships with advertising agencies and brands around the world, so you'll also get to practise your skills with briefs from real clients.
This programme is also available with an Arts Foundation Year, which can provide an alternative route of entry on to the full degree programme. Find out more at https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/afyafyub/.
Advertising is a career built on the power of your imagination and your ability to make people listen to, and care about, what you have to say. On this course you'll learn how to develop original ideas and bring them to life in the most compelling way while using your creativity and communication skills to change the way people think.
We'll explore conceptual thinking, copywriting, art direction, and the different types of media a professional advertising creative will need to know, as well as helping you present your ideas effectively and persuasively. The course has close relationships with advertising agencies and brands around the world, so you'll also get to practise your skills with briefs from real clients.
This programme is also available with an Arts Foundation Year, which can provide an alternative route of entry on to the full degree programme. Find out more at https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/afyafyub/.
Subject area is ranked 2nd for student satisfaction in the UK*
Learn from staff who are experienced advertising industry creatives
Opportunities to work on live briefs and projects set by industry
Take part in industry competitions and award schemes
Take part in study visits to London and an optional trip to New York
Graduates working in advertising agencies around the world
*Complete University Guide 2025 (out of 87 ranking institutions).
Throughout a career-focused curriculum, students can develop the professional skills and knowledge and the digital literacy and teamworking abilities to produce original ideas through high-level creative thinking. Students can embrace the various creative advertising roles required throughout a wide range of advertising projects, working in collaborative teams.
Tutor-led, student-led, and independent learning sessions are at the core of our teaching approach. The learning experience encourages students to push their creative thinking so that they embrace learning through failed ideas and concepts, as this is the path to innovative and original project solutions. This is alongside students learning to respond to advertising briefs which require a sound grasp of commercial communications, and the ability to identify and reach defined audiences.
Through extensive practice in the studio, students can develop their strategic, conceptual, copywriting, planning, pitching, and creative problem-solving skills. In the final year, students are able to refine their portfolio of work and be part of a showcase of advertising campaigns across different communication channels.
The programme utilises a dynamic mix of delivery methods to make for an enriched and engaged student experience. Up-to-date digital blended teaching methods are used to support an education that reflects the current landscape.
Throughout a career-focused curriculum, students can develop the professional skills and knowledge and the digital literacy and teamworking abilities to produce original ideas through high-level creative thinking. Students can embrace the various creative advertising roles required throughout a wide range of advertising projects, working in collaborative teams.
Tutor-led, student-led, and independent learning sessions are at the core of our teaching approach. The learning experience encourages students to push their creative thinking so that they embrace learning through failed ideas and concepts, as this is the path to innovative and original project solutions. This is alongside students learning to respond to advertising briefs which require a sound grasp of commercial communications, and the ability to identify and reach defined audiences.
Through extensive practice in the studio, students can develop their strategic, conceptual, copywriting, planning, pitching, and creative problem-solving skills. In the final year, students are able to refine their portfolio of work and be part of a showcase of advertising campaigns across different communication channels.
The programme utilises a dynamic mix of delivery methods to make for an enriched and engaged student experience. Up-to-date digital blended teaching methods are used to support an education that reflects the current landscape.
This module focuses on fostering curiosity and enquiry based learning. It provides students with opportunities to question and interrogate a variety of themes. This module aims to encourage students to think critically and solve problems laterally and move away from prescribed and predictable outcomes. Audience and human observations are central to this module, students are therefore encouraged to move beyond the studio setting to engage with real world problems directly at source.
This module is designed to introduce students to relevant concepts, debates, and case studies relating to the nature creativity and the creative process, as the basis for the development of a reflective creative practice. This aims to compliment and underpin the studio work students carry out with the programme-specific team during the rest of their programme of study.
This module focuses on creative disciplines, introducing students to the foundations of visual communication, art direction, and copy writing. Students will be encouraged to play and experiment with a variety of media, to foster a stronger sense of visual awareness and consideration for craft. Through storytelling, character development and typography, students will be encouraged to explore and experiment to produce visually compelling work which is both considered and unexpected. Whilst building on the prerequisite skills needed for the creative industries, students will be encouraged to challenge existing practices whilst looking outward towards emerging trends.
This module focuses on the developing students' unique, creative voices. It provides opportunities to discover new ways of working and reinvent some tried and tested methods. Utilising our industry links, we have tailored this module to create mavericks, creative rebels, in short those who will stand apart from the crowd when looking for employment. This module aims to encourage students to take risks, embrace failure, and ultimately find fresh, novel approaches to problem-solving. As this module is largely focused on discovering the individuality of the students, teaching will be delivered in a range of ways to accommodate differences in learning styles, from large group discussions, to personal tutorials.
Building upon issues concerning the development of a reflective creative practice, Contextual Studies 2 introduces students to relevant concepts, debates, and case study examples concerning the professional, economic, and socio-cultural contexts of design within the creative industries. It will also discuss ethical issues as they relate to this professional context of the creative industries and shape the creative motivations of areas such as design activism, ecological orientations, and socially engaged creative practices. These themes and debates will form an overarching discussion of professional design practice.
The module aims to develop a deep and fundamental understanding of advertising practice through the scrutiny of ‘strategy – concept – execution’ as an important creative process. Students can explore different practical techniques for idea generation, copywriting, and strategies to solve a wide range of advertising problems. The module is underpinned by teamwork. Psychology and communication theories inform the practical projects and explore a wide variety of current advertising media.
This module links to industry with a focus on employability. The advertising industry is examined and contextualised through studio-based activities. Central to this module is the opportunity for the student to elect a self-initiated work placement, or alternatively a live brief from either an agency or end client. Students may gain real life experience and the opportunity to engage with industry in a contextualised manner as they start to prepare for their career.
The module explores in more depth the skills and experience of visual communication, copywriting, and creative advertising developed in the first year of the programme. Central to the module is the process of making informed decisions that result in visually appropriate creative solutions to advertising problems. Students can explore different methodologies, practical techniques for realising and executing creative ideas, and creative concepts and strategies.
This module aims to develop the visual craft skills and experience associated with creative advertising. Through the exploration of the visual and copywriting craft of their ideas students can engage with respected national and international competitions as a means of understanding and gaining insight and knowledge of qualities appropriate to the industry. Presentation skills may be developed to create high standards of verbal presentation and visual communication of the work.
Contextual Studies 3 is an independent research study module which takes the form either of a dissertation and/or a number of other options. The module offers students an opportunity to explore in depth a topic of their own choice, chosen generally, but not exclusively in relation to the practice and/or context of their programme-specific studies and studio practice.
This studio-based module covers the exploration and production of engaging advertising campaigns that creatively exploit a wide range of different media and demonstrate the factors that impact upon effective communication such as insight and human truth. Innovation, initiative, teamwork, and creative independence are core components enabling students the chance to develop a higher level of autonomy. Students are expected to produce a final portfolio of highly effective and creative work that explores important themes and demonstrates an advanced understanding of strategy origination, concept creation, and effective execution.
At the core of this module is the production of a portfolio of work in preparation of entry to the advertising industry. This studio-based module enables the students to explore opportunities and requirements of the advertising and wider creative communication industries. An appreciation of professional practice standards and expectations may be developed through contact with current practitioners within advertising and related communication disciplines. Students can develop a high standard of visual and verbal presentation skills to demonstrate creative ability and comprehension of the discipline.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
This module focuses on fostering curiosity and enquiry based learning. It provides students with opportunities to question and interrogate a variety of themes. This module aims to encourage students to think critically and solve problems laterally and move away from prescribed and predictable outcomes. Audience and human observations are central to this module, students are therefore encouraged to move beyond the studio setting to engage with real world problems directly at source.
This theory-based module introduces you to key concepts, debates, and case studies surrounding creativity and the creative process, forming a foundation for a reflective and informed creative practice. By engaging with these ideas, you can gain insights that enhance and support your hands-on studio work across your program. This module aims to deepen understanding, encouraging you to think critically about creativity while connecting theory to practice in meaningful, impactful ways.
This module focuses on creative disciplines, introducing students to the foundations of visual communication, art direction, and copy writing. Students will be encouraged to play and experiment with a variety of media, to foster a stronger sense of visual awareness and consideration for craft. Through storytelling, character development and typography, students will be encouraged to explore and experiment to produce visually compelling work which is both considered and unexpected. Whilst building on the prerequisite skills needed for the creative industries, students will be encouraged to challenge existing practices whilst looking outward towards emerging trends.
This module focuses on the developing students' unique, creative voices. It provides opportunities to discover new ways of working and reinvent some tried and tested methods. Utilising our industry links, we have tailored this module to create mavericks, creative rebels, in short those who will stand apart from the crowd when looking for employment. This module aims to encourage students to take risks, embrace failure, and ultimately find fresh, novel approaches to problem-solving. As this module is largely focused on discovering the individuality of the students, teaching will be delivered in a range of ways to accommodate differences in learning styles, from large group discussions, to personal tutorials.
Building on the foundations of reflective creative practice in Level 1, Contextual Studies 2 immerses you in key concepts, debates, and case studies related to the professional, economic, and socio-cultural dynamics of the creative industries. This module delves into the ethical dimensions of professional design, examining how issues like design activism, ecological awareness, and socially engaged practices influence creative motivations and shape the field.
These thought-provoking themes set the stage for an in-depth discussion on the role of ethics and purpose in contemporary design. By exploring these topics, you can gain a nuanced understanding of how design intersects with real-world issues, enhancing your awareness of professional practice within the broader landscape of the creative industries.
The module aims to develop a deep and fundamental understanding of advertising practice through the scrutiny of ‘strategy – concept – execution’ as an important creative process. Students can explore different practical techniques for idea generation, copywriting, and strategies to solve a wide range of advertising problems. The module is underpinned by teamwork. Psychology and communication theories inform the practical projects and explore a wide variety of current advertising media.
This module links to industry with a focus on employability. The advertising industry is examined and contextualised through studio-based activities. Central to this module is the opportunity for the student to elect a self-initiated work placement, or alternatively a live brief from either an agency or end client. Students may gain real life experience and the opportunity to engage with industry in a contextualised manner as they start to prepare for their career.
The module explores in more depth the skills and experience of visual communication, copywriting, and creative advertising developed in the first year of the programme. Central to the module is the process of making informed decisions that result in visually appropriate creative solutions to advertising problems. Students can explore different methodologies, practical techniques for realising and executing creative ideas, and creative concepts and strategies.
This module aims to develop the visual craft skills and experience associated with creative advertising. Through the exploration of the visual and copywriting craft of their ideas students can engage with respected national and international competitions as a means of understanding and gaining insight and knowledge of qualities appropriate to the industry. Presentation skills may be developed to create high standards of verbal presentation and visual communication of the work.
Contextual Studies 3 is an independent research module that offers you the flexibility to pursue a dissertation or choose from other extended academic writing formats. You can deeply explore a topic of your choice, typically related to your specific programme of study and studio practice, allowing you to develop critical research skills and pursue your career goals.
This studio-based module covers the exploration and production of engaging advertising campaigns that creatively exploit a wide range of different media and demonstrate the factors that impact upon effective communication such as insight and human truth. Innovation, initiative, teamwork, and creative independence are core components enabling students the chance to develop a higher level of autonomy. Students are expected to produce a final portfolio of highly effective and creative work that explores important themes and demonstrates an advanced understanding of strategy origination, concept creation, and effective execution.
At the core of this module is the production of a portfolio of work in preparation of entry to the advertising industry. This studio-based module enables the students to explore opportunities and requirements of the advertising and wider creative communication industries. An appreciation of professional practice standards and expectations may be developed through contact with current practitioners within advertising and related communication disciplines. Students can develop a high standard of visual and verbal presentation skills to demonstrate creative ability and comprehension of the discipline.
† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.
We want you to have all the information you need to make an informed decision on where and what you want to study. In addition to the information provided on this course page, our What You Need to Know page offers explanations on key topics including programme validation/revalidation, additional costs, and contact hours.
The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that may be used include coursework, such as written assignments, reports or dissertations, or review of creative output.
The way students are assessed on this course may vary for each module. Examples of assessment methods that may be used include coursework, such as written assignments, reports or dissertations, or review of creative output.
Students can take part in visits to London advertising agencies, as well as an optional visit to New York, giving them the opportunity to build contacts and industry knowledge prior to graduating. Please note, optional study visits are at the student's own expense. These optional trips are not graded.
Our degree show is an exciting opportunity for our Lincoln School of Design students to showcase their work both physically and digitally to the public and businesses.
Lincoln School of Design students have a long history of winning and being shortlisted for international and national student design competitions, and the last few years have been no exception.
The University of Lincoln has a comprehensive range of facilities designed to provide a supportive environment for creative practitioners. Students have regular access to workshops, labs, studios, and industry-standard equipment, as well as highly knowledgeable technicians. This environment can help students to develop their knowledge and skills, and complements our purpose-built design studios.
You'll work in our purpose built studios in the Peter De Wint building.
Third-year students can complete a project designed specifically to build their profile and get them noticed by significant figures in the creative industries. The end of year show, which has previously been held at one of London’s most famous advertising agencies, enables students to showcase their portfolios and meet decision makers from top agencies across the country – providing a platform to begin their search for a role after graduation.
After generating a great deal of positive interest from the industry through their now-famous 'black cab book crit' idea, graduates Shannon Cripps and Beth Wood now work for the in-house creative team at Channel 4 – picking up prestigious Cream and D&AD New Blood awards along the way.
The Creative Advertising Society holds industry talks and workshops in our Lincoln studio with high-profile guest speakers from advertising. Previous speakers have included Rory Sutherland, Vikki Ross, and Sir John Hegarty.
It is encouraging to see students overflowing with ideas that are both insightful, fresh and challenging. I have set the brief I gave to the Lincoln second years to a number of other courses, yet the work produced by the Lincoln students was head and shoulders above the rest.
Simon Lloyd
Global Creative Director, adam&eveDDB
Some of our most recent Creative Advertising graduates have gone on to work in top creative companies around the world such as Spotify, Grey, adam&eveDDB, Droga5, Fallon, WCRS, Achtung!, Leo Burnett, and Ogilvy. Many take on roles in communications and marketing, or set up their own businesses, while others go on to study further at Master's or doctoral level.
Graduate roles have included Art Director, Content Creator, Strategist, Creative Producer, Junior Campaign Manager, Social Media Advertising Executive, Copywriter, Insights and Audience Planner, and Illustration Agent at destinations including Above+Beyond, AnalogFolk, Bare Conductive, Channel 4, Distract, Havas Helia, Havas LYNX, HTK, ITV, Karmarama, Lemonade Illustration Agency, McCann Worldgroup, Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi, St. Luke's, Teads, The Drum, The Gate London, VCCP, VMLY&R, WCRS, Wieden+Kennedy, and Wunderman Thompson.
104 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications.
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit.
T Level: Merit
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 104 UCAS Tariff points
International Baccalaureate: 28 points overall.
GCSE's: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, EPQ etc.
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
For applicants who do not meet our standard entry requirements, our Arts Foundation Year can provide an alternative route of entry onto our full degree programmes:
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/afyafyub/
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
96 to 112 UCAS Tariff points.
This must be achieved from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. For example:
A Level: CCC to BBC
BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction Merit Merit
T Level: Merit Overall
Access to Higher Education Diploma: 96 to 112 UCAS points to be achieved from 45 Level 3 credits.
International Baccalaureate: 28 points overall.
GCSE's: Minimum of three at grade 4 or above, which must include English . Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
We may also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages
https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page
If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-sessional English and Academic Study Skills courses.
If you would like further information about entry requirements, or would like to discuss whether the qualifications you are currently studying are acceptable, please contact the Admissions team on 01522 886097, or email admissions@lincoln.ac.uk
Jess' Creative Advertising Story
Hear from Jess what it's like to study Creative Advertising at the University of Lincoln! He talks about his experiences, the facilities on offer, and much much more.
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Standard workshop induction costs are covered by the University, as are some initial printing and material costs. However, depending on the media/materials chosen by the student, there may be additional costs incurred.
The Creative Advertising programme aims to run trips to London advertising agencies once during the second year of study and once or twice during the third year. These trips are optional and will not impact upon student grades. Travel costs for these trips are the responsibility of the student. These can vary, however students are all given ample notice.
The programme also aims to run a trip to New York advertising agencies once during the second year of study. This is optional and does not have an impact on any grades on the course. The cost of the New York trip is approximately £850 (based on recent figures).
The School aims to subsidise third-year showcase work. However, students can expect to collectively raise additional funds between themselves towards a 'private view' entertainments budget, should they choose to do so. A figure of £200 is approximate and depends on the size of the year group and the number attending.
Other additional costs can include notebooks, A3 layout pads (approx. £5-£10 each), and marker/fineliner pens (approx. £1-£3 each).
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.
Standard workshop induction costs are covered by the University, as are some initial printing and material costs. However, depending on the media/materials chosen by the student, there may be additional costs incurred.
The Creative Advertising programme aims to run trips to London advertising agencies once during the second year of study and once or twice during the third year. These trips are optional and will not impact upon student grades. Travel costs for these trips are the responsibility of the student. These can vary, however students are all given ample notice.
The programme also aims to run a trip to New York advertising agencies once during the second year of study. This is optional and does not have an impact on any grades on the course. The cost of the New York trip is approximately £850 (based on recent figures).
The School aims to subsidise third-year showcase work. However, students can expect to collectively raise additional funds between themselves towards a 'private view' entertainments budget, should they choose to do so. A figure of £200 is approximate and depends on the size of the year group and the number attending.
Other additional costs can include notebooks, A3 layout pads (approx. £5-£10 each), and marker/fineliner pens (approx. £1-£3 each).
The best way to find out what it is really like to live and learn at Lincoln is to visit us in person. We offer a range of opportunities across the year to help you to get a real feel for what it might be like to study here.
